So what are Baptists anyway?

1. On what authority is our faith based? Is it in the weight of historical conclusions about what the faith is? Is it in the teaching of a particular person or persons? Is it in the revelations of a believer’s own heart? How can we know what we believe?

Baptists are a scriptural people

2 Tim 3:16, Ps 19:7-9, Is 40:8, John 1:1-5, 14,

Baptists are a confessional people but not a creedal people.

Rev 21:18

2. Who is the leader of the Church?  On what basis of authority is the church founded? What ramification does this foundation have on the individual believer?

Baptists believe in the Lordship of Jesus Christ

Matt 16:13-18, Matt: 24:42, Mark 12:35-37

Baptists believe in Soul Competency and the Priesthood of the Believer

Romans 14:5-12, I Peter 2:9-10

3. Who comprises the Church? What is the representation of Christ’s church on earth?

Baptists believe in regenerate church membership.

I Peter 1:3, Titus 3:5, 2 Cor 5:17, Acts 5:11-14

4. What constitutes the actions and behaviors of the church? What ordinances are granted to the church to carry out? What is the structure of the church?

Baptists believe in following the precepts of a New Testament church.

Baptists believe in a local, autonomous congregation with a congregational polity.

Romans 1:7, 2 Cor 1:1, Philippians 1:1

Baptists believe the church has been given two ordinances.

Matthew 3:13-17, Acts 8:35-39

Luke 22:19-20, I Cor 10:16-21

Southern Baptists believe in cooperating with other churches for the purpose of following the Great Commission.

Acts 15:1-35, Romans 15:26, I Cor 16:3

5. What is the right relationship between the Church and the State?

Baptists believe in religious liberty.

Matthew 22:21, Gal 5:1,13, Phil 3:20

The old BAPTIST Acrostic

Biblical authority (Matthew 24:35; 1 Peter 1:23; 2 Timothy 3:16-17)

Autonomy of the local church (Matt. 18:15–17; 1 Cor. 6:1-3)

Priesthood of all believers (1 Peter 2:5-9; 1 Timothy 5)

Two ordinances (believer's baptism and the Lord's Supper) (Acts 2:41–47; 1 Cor. 11:23-32)

Individual soul liberty (Romans 14:5–12)

Separation of Church and State (Matthew 22:15–22)

Two offices of the church (pastor-elder and deacon) (1 Timothy 3:1-13; Titus 1–2)

Saved church membership (Matthew 16:18; Ephesians 5:23–32; Colossians 1:18)

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